Zach LaVine said he wants to honor Billy Donovan’s first victory as coach of the Bulls by presenting him with the game ball, which Donovan promptly handed to Artūras Karnišovas.
In a way, Donovan’s movement can be seen as symbolic. Because, at least at the beginning of this season, there is an intriguing dynamic going on for the Bulls.
Not that Karnišovas is a novice executive. But he is in his first season in his new role as a franchise’s chief executive, hiring experienced veteran Donovan in one of his first significant changes.
And Donovan is starting the entire youth team, including rookie Patrick Williams in the small striker. Then the Bulls coach sets up a reserve unit filled with veterans.
If it works, as it worked beautifully in the 115-107 victory over the Wizards on Tuesday, it could serve the dual purpose of development and victory, which can be a blessing for the Bulls.
“I think this is a very good mix to be honest with you,” said veteran Tomas Satoransky. “In Garrett (Temple), we have another veteran who knows how to play. OP (Otto Porter Jr.) leaving the bench gives a lot of shot and also knowledge of how to play.
“Obviously, we have a lot of talent in this first team. But sometimes they have problems at times of the game. They were not on many winning teams. And they are still very young. I think it is our responsibility to set an example of how you should play the right way and help these guys when they fight in difficult times. “
The Bulls will not place four holders and three double-digit reserves in each game. They also will not record 26 assists in 38 goals all the time, an example of the movement of the ball and the player that Karnisovas and Donovan want.
But with Satoransky, Temple and Porter combining 38 points and nine assists, the second unit looks more comfortable with every passing game. That’s right with Thad Young yet to play, although he is now available after fighting a leg infection.
Satoransky, in particular, seems energized. He scored 10 points and six assists in just 20 minutes.
“I think I always like the attack that allows you to cut, run, move the ball,” he said. “We often play through our great men when we have to screen each other. I don’t think that makes the offense stagnant. We always try to move from side to side. I think that gives us much better options.
“It usually takes some time for young teams, especially with a short pre-season, to enter the attack more comfortably. But I think we showed it tonight. We were aggressive. Coby (Branco) made many excellent passes while driving. I think it was a great view of that game. And personally, I feel better with every game. I worked a lot this summer. Obviously, I had a small setback with the self-quarantine. But I’m taking it from game to game and it felt great (Tuesday). “
This is the thing. Satoransky missed the last three preseason games because of his exposure to Noah Vonleh, who tested positive for COVID-19. Temple, who scored 12 points, got off to a slow start because she tested positive for COVID-19 when the training camp started.
Therefore, the potential for this second unit is high, as it works more together. For now, just use veteran cunning.
“They are smart players. They are experienced players. I think they give the group a certain level of trust and belief, ”said Donovan. “Slowly, in the pre-season, we tried to cheer Otto up just more and more minutes. Still, I think we have to be smart with your minutes. I think that extending it to 30-something years would not be good on a consistent basis. Garrett, I think coming back from COVID, is slowly putting his legs under him.
“But they played against a lot of these guys in the league. They know the league very well. They know the staff. They are really good and help a guy like Patrick to talk to him about certain things or what may be ready to happen or what is to come. I think they try to help Wendell, Lauri, all those guys, even Coby. They have been totally professional. “
Porter, who gladly accepted the reserve role behind a rookie, scored 16 points in 29 minutes. It reached double digits in all four games.
Porter, Satoransky and Temple usually play with Lauri Markkanen in the center and another wing or guard — be it Chandler Hutchison or White or Zach LaVine. Young can join this group, especially if Markkanen is sidelined by a calf injury that he aggravated again in victory.
Porter, who played Temple with the Wizards, knows what the veteran who represented Karnisovas’ long free agent signature can bring.
“He knows how to play the game the way it should be played. It brings energy, especially defensively, ”said Porter. “A veteran guy. He’s very vocal, talking to the younger shipowners and just talking to the team about what he sees out there and just being a leader. “
To make the night even crazier was the fact that Porter, Temple and Satoransky played for the Wizards, and the Bulls finally showed up in Washington.
“WWhen you have a group out there that knows how to play, even if we have a new attack, you can see that high IQ, ”said LaVine of the group of veterans. “You know when to cut. You know when to shoot. You know where to go. Coming back on time.
“So, I feel like we sometimes need this to calm down, because we have a really good mix of really young guys and vets at the moment. I like to play in that group. I think we will continue to improve. “